Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUDAPEST2383
2006-11-28 13:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:  

HUNGARY PREPARES FOR THE NATO SUMMIT: TO RIGA ...

Tags:  PREL MARR MOPS NATO PINS HU 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0440
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0068
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 002383 

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DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2011
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS NATO PINS HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY PREPARES FOR THE NATO SUMMIT: TO RIGA ...
THROUGH BAGHLAN

REF: SECSTATE 186256

Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 002383

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2011
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS NATO PINS HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY PREPARES FOR THE NATO SUMMIT: TO RIGA ...
THROUGH BAGHLAN

REF: SECSTATE 186256

Classified By: POL/C ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Summary: As the GoH prepares for the NATO Summit, we
are using quiet diplomatic contacts and aggressive public
outreach to help shape their preparations. GoH officials
recognize that Afghanistan will be the central focus at Riga
and appreciate that NATO's efforts there represent an
important step in a transformation agenda they support. They
continue to look to our support as they take on what they
regard as the unprecedented challenge of leading a PRT in
Baghlan Province, but with our encouragement - and strong
(and rare) domestic bipartisan support - they are
increasingly attuned to the need to focus on reconstruction
and development programs to complement the PRT's military
tasks. We have succeeded in securing the GoH's agreement to
make a significant donation of small arms to the Afghan
national security forces at Riga; although increases in
defense spending remain a longer-term goal given their
current economic straits, this step would be in their
interest and within their ability. End Summary.

TAKING STOCK


2. (C) Ambassador Foley hosted key GoH officials and NATO
Ambassadors at a November 17 dinner to discuss Hungary's
Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. In initial
remarks, State Secretary Gemesi outlined the GoH's desire to
implement projects in fields ranging from police reform to
distance learning. Further discussion highlighted the GoH's
acute need to develop its plans in further detail to move
from the conceptual phase to actual implementation.
Subsequently, officials from various GoH offices have
contacted USAID and other Embassy offices for follow-up
meetings and discussions.


3. (C) Drawing on his experience as The Netherlands' Special
Envoy in Afghanistan, Dutch Ambassador Mollinger urged the
Hungarian PRT to promote local ownership of its development

initiatives through close coordination with Afghan officials.
He also underscored the importance of an active public
diplomacy strategy to sustain popular support for the
mission, cautioning that the GoH must do so "before there are
body bags."

TAKING THE HILL


3. (C) Ambassador Foley joined her Dutch and German
colleagues to discuss NATO issues with the Parliamentary
Foreign Affairs Committee November 21. In her opening
remarks, she underscored NATO's ongoing transformation as a
"community of values in action" around the globe. She drew
particular attention to the importance of NATO's mission to
the people of Afghanistan, welcoming the strong bipartisan
support Hungary's PRT leadership and highlighting the
salience of this effort as an indicator of Hungary's
transition from "a believer in democracy to an actor for
democracy." In her comments and in subsequent TV interview,
she referred to "the responsibilities as well as the
privileges of membership," emphasizing the USG's own enduring
commitment to NATO and the importance of greater Hungarian
investment in defense. She also called on the GoH to "think
creatively and act generously" to support Afghan authorities
by donating equipment to meet key shortfalls in the
near-term.


4. (C) Ambassador Mollinger focused on the importance of
"the 3 D's" - defense, development, and diplomacy" in
ensuring the PRT's success. He praised the transition from
Dutch to Hungarian leadership in Pol-e-Khomri, and pledged
the GoNL's assistance in pursuing EU funds to support
reconstruction efforts in Baghlan. German Ambassador Schiff
reiterated his government's commitment to the mission in
Afghanistan and outlined priorities including
capacity-building, investment in "quick-impact" development
projects, and security sector reform.


5. (C) Questions from the committee reflected their deep
interest in NATO issues in general and the question of
enlargement in particular. The Ambassador's reiteration of
our policy re Croatia was especially welcome, and the broad
bipartisan consensus on NATO issues - despite continuing
domestic political acrimony - was evident throughout. Also
of note were Ambassador Mollinger's admission of an "EU
policy deficit" on Afghanistan and Ambassador Schiff's
matter-of-fact comment that high expectations for Germany's
EU presidency might prove unrealistic given "upcoming

BUDAPEST 00002383 002 OF 002


elections in France."

TAKING IT TO THE TOP


6. (C) Ambassador Foley reviewed reftel points with PM
Gyurcsany in a subsequent phone call, emphasizing Afghanistan
as the Summit's central issue. He noted the strong national
consensus on NATO issues including the PRT, but immediately
cautioned that Hungary would have to "regain its economic
strength" before it could consider any increase in defense
spending. Anticipating his comments regarding Hungary's
budgetary straits, she pressed for a generous donation of
small arms as a practical contribution to Alliance efforts to
stand up Afghan security forces. About to leave for a trip
to Macedonia, Albania, and Bosnia (where he indicated Hungary
would make a further commitment of troops to international
stabilization forces),Gyurcsany asked for "two days" to get
back to us.

FROM EACH ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY


7. (C) Comment: Hungary will bring few big ideas to Riga but
will bring something to the table in the form of a
significant donation to Afghan security forces: we have
received confirmation of their decision to donate 20,000
assault rifles, and also of their interest in AID training
for their PRT, which we believe will help focus and
strengthen their civil reconstruction planning efforts.
Issues of bipartisan consensus are rare, and we have
encouraged both the government and the opposition to support
NATO transformation as they supported NATO membership. The
PRT presents an enormous bureaucratic challenge to the GoH,
and Hungarian officials must use the coming months to prepare
their civil development initiatives for the spring. The
Ambassador's dinner highlighted the need for a sustained
effort, and also built important relationships with key
Allies to support their efforts. In the longer-term, we hope
the success of the PRT - as related to the Hungarian people
through an active media strategy - will help build support
for further investment in defense in keeping with Hungary's
commitment to the Alliance. End Comment.

Minimize Considered

FOLEY